The University of California (UC) Office of the President has issued the updated Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH Policy). The SVSH Policy incorporates feedback and input from all levels of the University community and reflects the seriousness that UC has appropriated to the subject matter.
The following are some of the revisions that have been made to the SVSH Policy:
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The definitions of sexual violence, sexual harassment and other conduct prohibited under the SVSH Policy have changed.
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The processes for reporting complaints, and for the University to respond to such reports, are included in the SVSH Policy.
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A new definition of “responsible employee” has been added to the SVSH Policy. It requires every staff member of the University (except for a few confidential resources defined in the SVSH Policy) to notify the Title IX office if they receive information that a student has suffered sexual harassment, sexual violence or other conduct prohibited by the SVSH Policy.
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Additionally, managers, supervisors and faculty are “responsible employees” required to notify the Title IX office if they receive information from any University community member (including other employees) of sexual harassment, sexual violence or other conduct prohibited by the SVSH Policy.
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As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to improve how it prevents and responds to sexual violence and sexual harassment on UC campuses, the Office of the President is developing a new e-course specifically geared towards the new SVSH Policy. The course will be required of all faculty and staff when it is launched later this year, and it will satisfy AB 1825 which applies to supervisors, as well. More information about the sexual violence and sexual harassment e-course will be forthcoming...
When you go to the link with the actual policy, it DOES allow for those filing complaints, those being charged, and witnesses, to have advisers in the hearing process. Apparently, such advisers can be lawyers. How much participation such advisers may have in the process seems to be uncertain. Up to this point, the due process aspect of the policy has been the most controversial element and the one that has led to external courts overturning internal university verdicts.
You can find the actual policy at:
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